Social Care Reform 2022-12-06
2022-12-06
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by ongoing discussions about the implementation of social care reforms in the UK. The MP highlights specific areas where progress needs to be made.
What progress has been made on delivering social care reform? I am concerned that despite promising reforms, there are still issues with digital records and transparency in the system.
We are already putting social care reforms into practice. For instance, we want care providers to adopt digital care records, and more than 50% have already done so. I am determined to shine more light on our social care system, so our new Care Quality Commission-led assurance of local authorities' social care duties will start in April.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific progress made since initial promises was not addressed directly.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by concerns over the availability of geriatricians for people receiving social care. The MP references a high vacancy rate within the NHS.
What urgent action is being taken to ensure that people in social care settings are seeing a geriatrician consultant regularly? If there is a shortage, what measures are being put in place to increase the number of doctors training as geriatricians?
The hon. Lady makes an important point about people who are receiving social care also having access to the healthcare they need and these systems working together across our health and social care systems. We are training more doctors overall, and we have an increase in medical school places, which is leading to more doctors coming through. I am happy to take away and look at her question about the number of geriatricians.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific measures addressing the shortage of geriatricians were not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by a constituent case where funding across local authority borders is an issue. The MP seeks clarity on how such cases will be handled.
Does the Minister agree that we need to look at funding packages working across borders? I have a constituent whose care falls between two local authorities. Will she meet me urgently to ensure this constituent receives needed funding for her husband's care?
As announced in the autumn statement, we have a record funding settlement of £7.5 billion going into the social care system over the next two years, to improve both access and quality of care. I am happy to meet my right hon. Friend to look into the specific challenge that she has outlined, because it is important that local areas are working together across boundaries.
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Assessment & feedback
The minister did not explicitly agree with cross-border funding solutions.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The question is prompted by a long history of delays and failures in implementing promised social care reforms. The MP critiques the government's track record and current state of social care.
After 12 years, what have Conservative Members got to show on social care? Their cap on care costs was first promised 10 years ago but delayed and eventually scrapped. Isn't it true that the country deserves a change?
We have delayed our social care charging reforms because we listened to those in the system and we heard local authorities asking for more time to prepare. Importantly, we have allowed local authorities to keep the money allocated to that in their bank accounts to fund some of the current pressures on social care. I ask the hon. Lady to recognise the record funding settlement for social care in the autumn statement—£7.5 billion for social care over the next two years—which she has not even acknowledged.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific achievements by Conservatives were not detailed; focus was on recent funding announcements.
Response accuracy